Venice with Mike and Gaile

So here we are in Venice at the Crow's Nest Marina.  It was an awesome trip traveling in narrow channels with many homes along the ICW.  I think the 1% live in Florida.  I have to admit I missed the last green marker and almost, I said almost, ran aground.  Luckily the people at Crow's Nest called me on the radio and warned me before it was too late.  The good thing about Venice is our friends Mike, Gaile, and of coarse BB the poodle that is going to hang with the doodle, have a house on a lake.  They picked us up and we headed to the street with all the shops and restaurants.  We had lunch and preceded to their house.  What a treat to take a long shower, relax on the patio overlooking the lake, sipping on an adult beverage.  The doodle and poodle got along great except they both like to bark for no reason at all.  Gaile arranged to have Chloe get a bath and grooming at Petco the next day.  They also had us over for dinner every night and afterwards Mike would drive us back to the boat.  That Miss Gaile can sure cook, or as she says "yea baby".  I can't even put into words how welcome and comfortable we all felt.  Anyway, the next day while Chloe was getting shaved and the girls went were ever girls go, Mike and I played golf.  What a nice coarse and only $34.00 with a cart for 18 holes.  I guess I did okay considering I don't have any golf shoes and I used Miss Gaile's clubs.  Now, there is nothing wrong with her clubs but it's just not the same without your own, all that mattered is we had fun, RIGHT?  One of the things here in Venice is the manufacturer of these great cups made by Tervis.  So we had to go see what it was all about and after spending more than I expected we walked out of there with more cups of different sizes than I expected.  For some of you back home expect a cup from our trip, and if you heard of Tervis let me know.  We couldn't leave without inviting Mike and Gaile to come with us on our next destination to Gasperilla Island.  It didn't take much arm twisting and they were ready.  The night before Mike and I drove the two cars the have to the island and dropped one off so when we got there they could get back with no problem.  It was about an hour drive.  Even though by boat it was 30 miles it took that long to drive because it's all side streets and a $6.00 toll bridge.  Thanks again Mike for paying my way over the bridge because of the one dollar in my wallet.  Next morning they showed up at 9:00am and about 9:45am we were off.  It was another great day with beautiful water and dolphins along the way.  It was great that they came with us and we could share what we will be doing for the next year.  I think Debbie D. has come over to the dark side with us and would like to do the whole  loop.  When we tied up at Boca Grande Marina Mike and I enjoyed a cigar on the flybridge while the girls went, you guessed it, shopping.  Thanks again for the cigar Mike.  Boca Grande Marina at Gasperilla Island is a new marina and very expensive.  We paid $3.00 per foot for the night, which is the most we ever paid anywhere.  You only do this once, RIGHT?  What a great tiime we've had and more important continuing that friendship that was postponed because of distant and time.  Thanks Miss Gaile, Mike (Bubba) and BB for making our adventure even more fun and not feeling so far away from our home.  Hopefully when we get to South Carolina we can talk you into coming on the boat again and maybe going a couple of days with us.  After goodbyes it was Tri Tip for dinner and off to our next adventure to Fort Myers where Debbie's cousin Marsha and Bruce live.

Panacea at Crows Nest in Venice

More homes along the ICW

Mike (Bubba) and Miss Gaile

Happy dolphin or Gaile

Their backyard with local wild life

Wood Stork

 Gaile and BB

Dinner..........Yummmmmmmm

We got four free tumblers

See that sneaky crab pot?

Flippers

Everything OK with Captain Larry

Swing Bridge

Moving along the ICW

Osprey Nest

Bridge clearance marker before you go under all bridges

Hey BB, this is smooth today

Boca Grande Marina in Gasperilla